oversupply/over-active let down?

[whozeyermamma]

I asked this in the breastfeeding forum but got no reply - so thought you lovey ladies could help ... (seems I'm full of questions/problems these days .. sigh.)

So in the past week or so DS (8 wks) has had the following symptoms:

more fussy, gassy than normal
fewer poops and more obvious discomfort from needing to poop
greenish poops
mucas-y poops

he's always been a frequent feeder, sometimes every hour - but often won't want to nurse more than 5 min or so ... and he likes to suck on his hands and binky

I just saw those as possible indicators that I might have an oversupply of milk. BUT I don't have other things - he doesn't seem fussy at the breast or splutter or pull off, he doesn't look uncomfortable while nursing (he often falls sweetly asleep), I'm not engorged, I don't leak a lot and I dont' have multiple let downs.

What do you think?? If not that, what do you think it is? What should I do?

TIA!!!

[Buzzer Beater]

WYM,
I'm not much help because I don't know what that sounds like, but I think oversupply is pretty visible when babe is at the breast. My DD will open her mouth and let the milk flow out onto my belly- have to keep a towel there. Or she'll pull off and milk will spray everywhere.
Maybe your DS has some sensitivities? Has your diet changed?

[Noah's mommy]

My DD will open her mouth and let the milk flow out onto my belly- have to keep a towel there. Or she'll pull off and milk will spray everywhere.

This is the same for my oversupply/letdown issues. Like you, I don't become engorged and leak very frequently, but I find I pump a ton (like 5 ounces in less than five minutes) in the morning to help with these issues throughout the day. I've had good luck with an inexact version of block feeding. Have you tried that? I must have had it to some degree with the other two, but I think after a few months they get the hang of breastfeeding and my supply regulates a bit.

[Buzzer Beater]

I haven't found any love for the pump yet. Even when I am engorged from overnight's lazy feedings I can only get an ounce or two tops. Luckily Georgia would only need a bottle in emergencies cuz I don't have much in the freezer.

What is block feeding?

[Noah's mommy]

This has good info on oversupply and block feeding...might be worth a try!

[jdg]

Originally Posted by whozeyermamma

I just saw those as possible indicators that I might have an oversupply of milk. BUT I don't have other things - he doesn't seem fussy at the breast or splutter or pull off, he doesn't look uncomfortable while nursing (he often falls sweetly asleep), I'm not engorged, I don't leak a lot and I dont' have multiple let downs.

What do you think?? If not that, what do you think it is? What should I do?

I don't know what it could be, but am also chiming in to say that my oversupply was very obvious. There was milk everywhere. All the time. Crazy, crazy amounts of milk. There's no way it could have been missed!

[cadejaxellamom]

I too have an over-supply issue, and have the same problems, milk everywhere, she chokes, when she pulls off during letdown, milk will squirt everywhere, I can pump 6 or more oz (per side) in about 2 min first thing in the morning (after 5 hours without nursing), ect. So I think it is obvious when there is an over supply problem, have you tired to cut out dairy? I know that is s big one for a baby's tummy problems. I'm sorry, i hope you get it figured out soon!

[whozeyermamma]

Huh - so it didn't SEEM like I had milk shooting out - but this AM I pulled him off after his first morning feed and WOW - my milk stream shot practically across the room. Like it nailed him in the eye at one point.

I guess he's taking it in - not struggling or pulling off but it's really coming out fast so it makes sense.

I'm going to try some of the things from the kellymom site. Thanks so much! I just hope I can get him less fussy and get him to stop this every hour nursing thing.

THANKS!

[texasfarmom]

I just wanted to add that I found these pages helpful as well as kellymom.

LLLI Oversupply

LLLI Foremilk and Hindmilk

[chattyprincess]

ddcc from july to say that we do a version of the block feeding and it is lovely! One breast per feeding and it works great...there were a few days of adjustment but now after 6 weeks or so it is a huge difference!

[whozeyermamma]

funny to see this thread still kicking around!

I think a lot of it resolved thanks to time and block feeding when I find myself feeling fuller. DS hasn't had a volcanic spitup in weeks and seems much less gassy!

Now it's just been a question of balancing my desire to pump every few days to have my bottles for the weekly sitter and my just-in-case-I-can-go-out milk stash. So far it seems to work to pump every 2 or 3 days for short periods - like 5 minutes or so. ANd only pump in the AM after that first feed.

Thanks again for all the advice!!